How to Kill an Apple Tree

Remove unwanted apple trees with a two-step process.

Insects, fungus, drought and soil pH all impact an apple tree's ability to produce fruit. Apple trees need careful management to maintain the healthy environment required to grow apples. Even with constant care, however, older apple trees eventually lose the capability to produce quality fruit due to soil conditions, damage to the trees or disease. In this case, you must kill and remove the tree. Successfully removing an apple tree involves a two-step process to help ensure new growth does not occur.

1

Put on gloves to protect your hands and safety glasses for eye protection before starting to work. Cut the tree in the spring when it is actively growing. Remove low hanging branches with lopping shears so the trunk is easily accessible.

2

Cut the apple tree as close to the ground as possible with a saw. For tree trunks up to 9 inches in diameter, use a hand saw to slice straight through the trunk and push the tree in the direction you want it to fall as you cut. Cut tree trunks larger than 9 inches in diameter with a chainsaw, making the first cut in the direction you want the tree to fall. Slice a notch, or V shape, one-quarter of the way through the trunk.

3

Cut straight into larger tree trunks on the opposite side from the notch and about 1 inch above where the notch comes to a point. Make the cut horizontal to the ground. The tree will fall toward the notched side. The cut on the opposite side serves the purpose of weakening the trunk so that it can fall.

4

Dip a paintbrush into full-strength glyphosate herbicide. Paint the freshly cut stump of the tree with the herbicide. Do not overuse the chemical or it may spread to other vegetation through ground water and the tree's root system. Cover just the cut portion of the tree trunk.

5

Check the apple tree stump periodically for new sucker growth. Remove the growth close to the stump with pruners and apply glyphosate herbicide to the cut with a paintbrush.

Things You Will Need

Gloves

Eye protection

Lopping shears

Handsaw

Chainsaw

Glyphosate herbicide

Paintbrush

Pruners

Protective leg wear

Long sleeve shirt and pants

Closed toe shoes

Warnings

Use caution when working with glyphosate herbicide. Wear safety glasses, gloves, and follow the manufacturer's recommendations closely. Avoid skin contact with the glyphosate and do not allow contact with your eyes. Flush skin or eyes with water if glyphosate makes contact; contact a physician if necessary. Do not ingest glyphosate.

Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, closed-toe shoes, long sleeve shirt and pants, and protective leg wear such as chaps if desired when operating a chainsaw. Read and understand all manufacturer directions and warnings before operating a chainsaw.

For larger trees, have an escape route planned just in case the tree starts to fall toward you. Remove all debris and obstacles around the tree before you start to cut, so that nothing is damaged by the falling tree or blocking your escape path.

About the Author

Tara Shore holds a Bachelor of Science in business finance and has written for online publications since 2007. She has professional experience in banking, accounting, travel and teaching. Shore is also a master gardener and a travel agent.